State agencies have approved a second mega-dairy in Morrow County, which will add 30,000 cows on roughly 7,000 acres of the former Boardman Tree Farm.

Lost Valley Farm received its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit on Friday, which regulates how the dairy will manage 187 million gallons of liquid manure generated on site every year. The permit, issued jointly by the Oregon Department of Agriculture and Department of Environmental Quality, will be the most protective of groundwater and surface water of any confined animal feeding operation in the state, according to officials.

With the permit in hand, Lost Valley Farm figures to begin operating within a few weeks. It will start with 16,500 animals before building up its herd over the next three years.

“We believe that a well-run dairy should proactively implement environmental protections and earn its place in the community,” said Greg te Velde, the California dairyman behind Lost Valley Farm. “We have agreed to all requirements of the CAFO permit issued today, and remain committed to protecting the quality and quantity of water in the critical groundwater area.”